The U.N. Security Council's unanimous adoption of a resolution to impose sanctions against North Korea is "irrelevant to inter-Korean businesses," a South Korean government official said Sunday.
On Saturday, the 15-member council unanimously adopted the resolution, which authorizes far-reaching, nonmilitary sanctions following North Korea's proclaimed nuclear weapon test last week.
The resolution requires the international community to prevent the sale or transfer of materials related to Pyongyang's unconventional weapons programs, as well as demands nations freeze the overseas funds of people or businesses connected with North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
"Inter-Korean business projects have no bearing on the economic sanctions described in the council's resolution, which is related only to North Korea's programs for weapons of mass destruction (WMD), the official said on condition of anonymity.
The remark comes just hours after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade released a statement saying that Seoul "welcomes and supports the U.N. Security Council resolution on North Korea's nuclear test and will implement it in good faith."
The two Koreas are developing an industrial complex in the North's western border town of Kaesong and a resort on Mount Geumgang, operated by Hyundai Asan Corp., a subsidiary of South Korea's Hyundai Group that is spearheading inter-Korean economic projects.
Officials here said that Seoul would not take a follow-up measures immediately after the U.N.'s move, as it is expected to take time to reach a consensus on the issue.
"We suspended humanitarian aid to the North right after the missile launch by the North in July," an official at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said, adding that such measures, which are tantamount to sanctions, appeared to deal a blow to Pyongyang.
Critics, however, have expressed concerns that the North may misappropriate goods or financial resources generated from inter-Korean economic cooperation projects for its weapons programs.
The official also said the Security Council's resolution and the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), a voluntary association of more than 70 countries working together to halt the proliferation of WMD, are not directly related.
South Korea has not formally joined the PSI. Introduced in 2003, the U.S.-led initiative calls for the interception of vessels and airplanes suspected of carrying WMD or related materials.
Despite continued U.S. requests, South Korea has been reluctant to take part in the initiative in consideration of the unique geopolitical situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The official indicated that South Korea will base its actions on an inter-Korean maritime agreement when it comes to measures it may take against North Korea in implementing the U.N. resolution.
The agreement, signed in December 2002 as a way to boost inter-Korean economic cooperation, came into force in August last year. In the agreement, the two Koreas are also required to cooperate in maritime accidents such as shipwrecks, vessel clashes and marine pollution caused by oil leaks.
Seoul, Oct. 15 (Yonhap News)
U.N. resolution on N. Korea irrelevant to inter-Korean businesses: official |
